Included in the Specialized File Handler Add-On, BIM file preview makes it possible to view file extensions commonly found in modeling applications from Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries.
Native software licenses for the respective applications are not required to view these files in Egnyte.
Supported File Types
Domains that have this feature enabled should be able to view the following file types directly in Egnyte’s WebUI. The maximum supported file size for each file type is included.
|
File Extension |
Maximum File Size (MB) |
| .dgn | 50 |
| .dwf | 50 |
| .dwg | 150 |
| .dxf | 50 |
| .ifc | 400 |
| .rvt | 400 |
| .rfa | 50 |
| .nwd | 50 |
| .nwc | 50 |
| .stl | 50 |
| .stp | 50 |
| .step | 50 |
| .obj | 400 |
BIM File Preview in the Web
To view the supported BIM file extensions using Egnyte’s BIM file preview feature, navigate to your Egnyte WebUI and click the file link.
If the supported file type is larger than 10MB, it will be preprocessed upon upload and will immediately begin downloading the file as shown in the screenshot below.
If the file is less than 10MB, the file will be processed upon opening for preview and will display an Analyzing file message.
The user will be informed that the transcoding process has started and they can navigate away from the file preview. The transcoding process will continue in the background and the user will receive an Egnyte notification when it is complete.
The file does not need to be transcoded each time it is opened for preview. If the file has recently been viewed in Egnyte or when the file finishes transcoding, the file will jump directly to downloading. Once the download has completed, the file will render in the preview.
Notifications
When the file transcoding process completes, the user will receive 2 types of notifications within Egnyte’s WebUI.
1. The user will receive a notification from the bell icon in the upper right corner of the WebUI. If successful, this will include a link that will allow the user to open the file directly in the preview.
2. A pop-up notification will appear that will inform the user the file is ready for preview. If successful, this notification also includes a link to open the file directly in the preview.
Web UI Toolbar
The toolbar available in the preview includes a variety of functions that enable users to interact with their file in a more meaningful way. Most options have a nested menu of sub-options explained below.
Navigation Tools - The Navigation tools include 4 different features to view the model.
- Orbit - Click and drag to turn the model on its axis. Most commonly used for 3D models.
- Pan - Click and drag to pan left and right, up and down
- Zoom - Click and drag, or use the scroll wheel on the mouse to zoom in and out.
-
Walk - Selecting Walk will allow users to navigate the model in first person via a combination of keyboard keys, and mouse movement. A help menu (shown below) will be displayed each time a user selects the Walk option, until the Don’t show this help again option is selected.
Ruler - If properly calibrated within the native file, a user can click and drag to measure between two points directly within the file itself.
Cutting - Users can cut a model on the X, Y or Z Plane. Clicking on the model while a Cutting tool is selected will flip the orientation of the cut. Users can apply cuts on multiple planes at once by first cutting on one plane, and then selecting another.
View - Users can select a view in which they would like to visualize the model. Selecting one of these views will quickly orient the model to the selected view.
Fit to view is not a view itself. Rather, it will make the current view full screen. To exit full screen, users can select the [Esc] option on their keyboard.
Object - The Object tool includes 5 different options based on the element that is selected in a model.
- Zoom to - The view will zoom in closely to the selected component.
- Isolate - All components in the model, except the selected one, will be hidden.
- Hide - The selected component will be hidden from the model.
- Show All - All hidden components will be reloaded into the model.
- Clear Selection - A selected component will be unselected.
All tools under the Object menu will be disabled, except for Show All, until a component is selected in the model.
Reset - The model will return to its original state. All hidden components and modifications to the model view will be reverted.
BIM File Preview from Mobile (iOS & Android)
Egnyte’s mobile applications support .dwg, .dgn, and .dxf files on both iOS & Android.
To view one of these files from Egnyte’s mobile applications, begin by selecting a file for preview in the listing view. Once the file is opened, the user can select the hand control to move the object on the screen with a finger and the orbit control to turn the object around. Pinching can be used to zoom in and out the object on the screen.
In the iOS App, If a BIM file is not supported, users have the options to redirect to the mobile browser to preview the file.
Users who want to preview these files within the Android app will need to download a special plugin. They will be prompted to do so:
- when the feature is enabled on their plan
- when the user tries to preview a file and the plugin hasn’t been installed previously.
BIM File Preview from Desktop
BIM file preview is supported from the desktop application via the WebUI. After locating the file that you wish to preview in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), right click on the file and locate the View in Cloud option. Selecting this option will open the file in the web browser directly from your desktop application.
Limitations
- Users can transcode up to 5 files simultaneously in the WebUI
- The ability to render a preview in the mobile app is dependent on the file complexity and may be limited or unavailable for which contain numerous references to other files. The size of the file may also impact the preview experience.